Celebration of the Launch of the Free Homestead Trolley to Biscayne National Park

Date: December 31, 2013
Contact: Matt Johnson, 786-335-3679

Biscayne National Park invites the public to join the celebration on Saturday, January 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., of the launch of the free Homestead Trolley to Everglades and Biscayne National Parks. Free transportation, parking, and guided tours are provided, as well as waived entrance fees, as part of this exciting new public service. This innovative project, a partnership between the City of Homestead and Everglades and Biscayne National Parks, provides the only available public transportation to these parks. Free food, live music and educational programs are provided at the celebration that will include the National Parks Conservation Association mascot Teddy Mather, national park superintendents, local scout troops, and City of Homestead officials. Trolley seating may be limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Every weekend from January to April, free trolley rides to Everglades and Biscayne National Parks will depart from historic downtown Homestead. Trolley riders receive free admission to both national parks as well as the Homestead Bayfront Park beach, where the trolley also makes a stop. Visitors may enjoy a free guided tour while they ride the trolley during which they may learn about the history and ecosystems of the national parks and how they relate to the history of Homestead and Miami-Dade County. The trolley stop is located at Losner Park in historic downtown Homestead at 104 N. Krome Avenue. Free parking is available at the trolley stop which connects to Miami-Dade bus routes.

The Homestead National Parks Trolley takes visitors to Everglades National Park's Ernest Coe Visitor Center and the Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm. It also travels to Biscayne National Park's Dante Fascell Visitor Center and boardwalk as well as Miami-Dade County's Homestead Bayfront Park, where visitors can swim at the atoll beach. Visitors to Homestead may enjoy area restaurants, the beautiful historic architecture of the city, and the free Old Town Hall Museum.

This program is the result of efforts of the National Parks Conservation Association in collaboration with the National Park Service and the City of Homestead. The National Parks Conservation Association works to protect and enhance America's national park system for current and future generations and is America's voice for national parks.

For more information on the Homestead National Parks Trolley, including schedules, routes and ranger programs, please visit www.cityofhomestead.com/gateway. For additional information about Biscayne National Park, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/bisc, or follow the park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/biscaynenps, or Twitter at www.twitter.com/biscaynenps.